Notes:DISCLAIMER: The only characters I own are the random patients of Dr. Carlisle Cullen and Sarah. All of the other characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. The plot is also mine, but I must credit Ms. Meyer again, because if she had not created these lovely characters in the first place, I wouldn't be able to toy with them as I do now.

2. Chapter 2

For a few moments, we laid there with eachother, forgetting the world. But as it got colder and she started to shiver, I was reminded that she was (for the time being) still a normal human. Well, as normal as Bella could ever be. And Edward probably wouldn't be very happy with me if I got her sick. Standing up, I nudged her hand with my nose and then looked pointedly at the forest.

"Go ahead, Jake. I'll still be here," she said, acknowledging my request as though I had spoken aloud. I licked her hand in thanks and then ran into the woods, quickly morphing from my wolf form as her laughter rang all around me.

As I emerged form the forest, Bella was still standing there with her arms wrapped protectively around her herself, trying to stop the cold. I crossed the distance between us quickly and pulled her into my warm embrace.

"I missed you, Bells."

She nodded against my chest, pressing every inch of her exposed flesh against me. Though the cold stung, I didn't dare back away. She needed the warmth. I'd always make sure that if nothing else, I could give her that. After a few moments, I pulled away and looked down at her. There was some emotion buried deeply beneath her eyes. Regret? Fear? Disappointment?

I was about to ask her when, suddenly, another figure walked from the trees to stand beside Bella, his golden eyes piercing the darkness of the night.

He looked down at Bella and she smiled softly, takin his hand in her's. He grinned in response before looking at me again, all of the unasked questions that I had been expecting clear in his eyes. I dropped my gaze down to their interlocked hands and wrinkled my brow slightly. Where were the wedding rings?

"She cancelled it. She was too worried about you to even think about a wedding until you were found. Though, it seems, you were perfectly fine."

Cancelled it? Did that mean she was rethinking her choice?

Before I could think about it any more, Bella corrected him. "Post-poned it, actually."

I grimaced. Damn.

Edward smirked meaningfully at me and I glared at him, annoyed yet again that he wouldn't stay out of my mind. Without looking away from me, he dropped his lips down to her ear and whispered, "I love you."

She shuddered in delight and in response I felt a shudder of my own cascade down my spine. I clenched my fist tighter and Edward moved slightly in front of Bella, just incase.

"I'm fine," I sneered.

He nodded curtly before looking to Bella, who had cast her eyes downward in thought.

"What's wrong, love?" Edward asked before I had the chance.

She ignored him and turned to me, eyes brimming with tears. "Why?"

There were implications to her question that even I couldn't understand, but I decided to ignore them and just answer the obvious. "I needed to get away."

She nodded, and one tear escaped before Edward pulled her to him, whispering softly in her ear.

"Are you... coming back?"

Her voice was weak. Whether it was from crying or because she was afraid of my answer, I didn't know. I did know, however, that now that I had seen her again, there would be no going back.

"Yes," I responded, smiling.

A wide grin spread across her face as I spoke and she broke from Edward's embrace to hug me. I hugged her back eagerly and thought briefly about how her body felt so right pressed up against mine.

"You know your precious pup is alright now, Bella. I think it's time we get home," Edward sneered, annoyed at my thoughts. I smirked triumphantly and pulled her closer ever slightly before mussing her hair and pulling back.

"See you at home?" She still seemed unsure of whether or not I was going to go back to La Push, and that broke my heart. Had she really been that worried about me? Obviously, she had at least cared. She had post-poned her wedding for me. Why had I ever thought I didn't matter to her.

Nodding eagerly, I took her hand and squeezed gently, quickly dropping it. I had pushed Edward enough for one night. "Yep."

She smiled and walked back to Edward's side, taking his hand quickly as if the short time she had spent not physically connected to him in some way was the hardest thing ever. I scowled ever so slightly, but she didn't notice.

"Bye, Bells," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the wind. Somehow, she managed to understand what I had said.

"Bye, Jake."

I watched as Edward lifted her gently into his arms and ran back into the forest - back to Forks.

Time to go home, I thought to myself, sighing.

I morphed into my wolf form again, not worried about anyone seeing this time, and began running back towards La Push. The wind carried Bella and Edward's scents toward me as I ran, and I followed them carefully, making sure not to lose my way. For some reason, I figured that Edward would know the quickest way back.

As soon as I reached the border of Forks - and I knew where I was going - I turned and headed back to La Push. The sun was rising and Bella probably got home long ago. I shook my head slightly, my over-grown fur falling in front of my eyes for a moment. Why couldn't I get her out of my head?

You love her.

The voice the echoed in my head certainly wasn't my own, and I growled softly when I realized that Embry had been listening the whole time.

Hey, don't get all pissy on us. You're the one who disappeared for a month. It was Paul this time, and I just tuned them out as I ran, pushing myself faster towards Sam's house. When I reached the trees at the edge of their property, I sat there for a moment collecting my thoughts.

Just as I was about to change back, I growled at the rest of the pack. Mind your own buisiness. At least I didn't imprint on a two year old.

The chuckles resounded in my head and just as I changed, I heard someone mutter, Jacob's back.

I grinned. They were right, I was back. And, ashamed as I was for leaving the pack like that, it was a good thing that I had. There were a few things I needed to sort out without the little voices in my head making sarcastic comments.

My grin grew more pronounced as I walked, cautiously, up the stairs towards the front door. Before I could even place a finger on the doorbell, the door swung open to reveal a very happy Emily.

"Jacob!" She squealed, running forward to embrace me. I smiled and hugged her back for a moment when she suddenly pulled away, wrinkling her nose.

"What?" I asked, quirking one eyebrow.

"Jacob Black, go home and get a shower right now! You haven't bathed in a month and I don't want you messing up my house!"

Though she was reprimanding me, a smirk spread gently across her face and I laughed.